General Rochambeau Statue

General Rochambeau Statue

NPS / Claire Hassler

Quick Facts

Location:

Washington, DC

Amenities

1 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

Comte de Rochambeau (1725-1807) commanded the 5,500-man Royal French Expeditionary Force sent to help the American revolutionary forces from 1780 to 1782. His skillful leadership and professional wisdom were vital to the American victory at Yorktown in 1781. The statue depicts him directing his troops. Rochambeau is wearing the uniform of France. He was the "official" representative of the King of France. A female figure, Liberty, raises two flags in her left hand, symbolizing the unity of France and America. She grasps a sword in her right hand as she prepares to defend an embattled eagle symbolizing America. The eagle, with its right talon, grasps a shield with thirteen stars symbolizing the thirteen colonies, while it fends off aggressors with its left talon. This sculptural group on the southwest corner of Lafayette Park was dedicated in 1902 by President Theodore Roosevelt.

Inscriptions

Pedestal, front
ROCHAMBEAU
Pedestal, south
WE HAVE BEEN
CONTMPORARIES AND
FELLOW LABOURERS IN
THE CAUSE OF LIBERTY AND
WE HAVE LIVED TOGETHER
AS BROTHERS SHOULD DO
IN HARMONIUS FRIENDSHIP
WASHINGTON TO ROCHAMBEAU
FEBRUARY 1, 1784
Statue base, left corner
Fondu Parle Val d'Osne
Paris 58 Boule Voltaire
Statue base, back
F HAMAR
Pedestal, back
BY THE CONGRESS
MAY XXIV
MDCCCCII